2-3 Hour Excursions

Home of the King (North/Kohala) Day Trip

Visit historic Kohala, home and birthplace of ancient Hawaiian King Kamehameha the Great, the first ruler to unite all the Hawaiian Islands. A short 30-40 minute drive north of the resort offers some of the most beautiful scenery on the Big Island including pastureland, rainforests and majestic shorelines of the Kohala Coast. Near Kawaihae, visit the Pu’ukohola Hawaiian heiau (temple) commissioned by the King in 1790 and completed a year later. This heiau on the Kohala Coast is now operated by the National Parks Service. Traveling on, see the original life size statue of the King in Kapaau, continue on to the end of the road past Hawi town (stop to take in the quaint shops) and gaze across Pololu Valley where he trained to be a warrior.

Waimea Day Trip

Travel east, inland to discover Waimea (also called Kamuela), which is unlike any other place on Hawaii’s Big Island. Known as paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) country, this area is filled with rolling green pastures and is home to cattle, cowboys and ranches. It is the home of Parker Ranch, one of the largest and oldest ranches in the United States. This area is now home to a thriving community filled with delicious restaurants, unique shopping and a haven of cultural arts.